Facial nerve electrodiagnostics for patients with facial palsy: a clinical practice guideline.

PURPOSE: Facial nerve electrodiagnostics is a well-established and important tool for decision making in patients with facial nerve diseases. Nevertheless, many otorhinolaryngologist-head and neck surgeons do not routinely use facial nerve electrodiagnostics. This may be due to a current lack of agreement on methodology, interpretation, validity, and clinical application. Electrophysiological analyses of the facial nerve and the mimic muscles can assist in diagnosis, assess the lesion severity, and aid in decision making. With acute facial palsy, it is a valuable tool for predicting recovery. METHODS: This paper presents a guideline prepared by members of the International Head and Neck Scientific Group and of the Multidisciplinary Salivary Gland Society for use in cases of peripheral facial nerve disorders based on a systematic literature search. RESULTS: Required equipment, practical implementation, and interpretation of the results of facial nerve electrodiagnostics are presented. CONCLUSION: The aim of this guideline is to inform all involved parties (i.e. otorhinolaryngologist-head and neck surgeons and other medical specialists, therapeutic professionals and the affected persons) and to provide practical recommendations for the diagnostic use of facial nerve electrodiagnostics.

Development and Impact of a Worksite Wellness Champions Program.

OBJECTIVES: Wellness champions have potential to be a high-reach, low-cost intervention for improving employee health, but research is needed to support this premise. Therefore, this project assessed the impact of a worksite wellness champions program at a large integrated healthcare organization. METHODS: A total of 2315 employees responded (56% response rate) to a survey. RESULTS: Program participants (N = 666) were more likely to agree that the organization provides a supportive environment to live a healthy lifestyle (82.7% vs 69.4%, p < .001), more likely to agree co-workers support one another in practicing a healthy lifestyle (76.8% vs 53.7%, p < .001), and to rate their overall health and wellness higher (p < .005) compared to those not familiar with the wellness champions program (N = 675). CONCLUSIONS: Employees participating in wellness champion activities have increased their awareness of wellness opportunities, feel supported for having a healthy lifestyle, and rate their perceived health and wellness higher.